A Few Easy-to-Use Nonfiction Writing Prompts

To fiction writers, writing nonfiction is dreary work indeed. They think that in order to write nonfiction that you have to be methodical, linear, and able to think only in terms of facts, but nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the most intriguing novels of our time are actually works of nonfiction, and they stand alone in their creativity and use of words.

But sometimes, writers need nonfiction writing prompts in order to exercise the skills of a nonfiction writer. These are often a little harder to find than fiction prompts, because they are intended to be factual. So for most writers, nonfiction writing prompts usually have to do with the one subject they are truly experts on – themselves!

Think about your life and write a short essay or even a few paragraphs about one of the following:

– Your favorite album or CD and how you discovered it.

– Your most memorable vacation.

– Your first pet.

– The first time you fell in love.

– The first time you experienced someone’s death.

– Your favorite hobby.

– Your job.

– Your family.

– Your religious beliefs.

– Your first memories.

– A major mistake you made in your life.

– A lie you wish you could take back.

Any of these would make a fabulous chapter in a story of your life, and by writing about something you love and already know, you won’t have to do any research!

When you are writing about yourself, you are much freer with the truth (as long as no one else is reading it!), so instead of worrying about the factual details, you can use your creative energy to provide a more readable and interesting story. These nonfiction writing prompts are a great way to exercise your nonfiction writing muscles.